New York, NY – September 27, 2021
On Thursday, September 16th, the Maestro Cares Foundation pledged $600,000 to support the Lower Eastside Girls Club’s (LESGC) Center for Wellbeing and Happiness (CWBH). LESGC and Maestro Cares Foundation share the same mission, the commitment to creating innovative and inspiring spaces for young people and building sustainable, equitable communities where everyone thrives.
The CWBH will expand the LESGC’s mission and service population in the 5,000 sq. ft. space adjacent to its existing facility. CWBH will provide free, intergenerational wellness programming for all community members, from toddlers to elders. Through a model of community-centered care, CWBH will foster healing, resilience and prevention. Program offerings will include yoga, movement, mindfulness, meditation, nutrition and culinary education, counseling, family and parenting support services, workforce development, and job training.
“We recognize—and research confirms—that the health, well-being and success of the young women we serve is deeply connected to the health, wellbeing and success of her family, her community and her world. We are immensely grateful to the Maestro Cares Foundation for their resounding commitment to our mission and vision. We look forward to the meaningful impact that this partnership will support” said Ebonie Simpson and Jenny Dembrow, LESGC Co-Executive Directors.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LESGC distributed over 100,000 meals through its active food pantry and launched CWBH as a virtual hub where its wellness programming can be freely accessed online. Maestro Cares’ generous contribution will underwrite the renovation of CWBH’s physical space slated to open early 2022. This project will be Maestro Cares’ first contribution to a New York City-based initiative and the second in North America. The foundation has funded 22 projects in 13 countries and territories primarily in Central and South America.
“We are happy to be partnering with LESGC on this project. We believe in empowering young women to be all that they dream to be and giving them the tools to become tomorrow’s leaders. Knowing that LESGC also believes in supporting young women and the community makes this project even more special to us. Together, LESGC and Maestro Cares Foundation look forward to creating joy and connection while harnessing the collective power of the Lower East Side community!”, expressed Marc Anthony, co-founder of Maestro Cares Foundation.
About the Lower Eastside Girls Club
The Lower Eastside Girls Club (LESGC) supports young women and gender-expansive youth of color throughout New York City in leveraging their inner power to shape a better future for themselves, their community and the world. Through free, year-round, innovative programming we connect young people with their passions, celebrate their curiosity and channel their creative energy. LESGC’s 40,000 sq. ft. facility offers a safe space of belonging for young people ages 10-23 with programming in STEM, Arts, Digital Media, Music, Leadership, Civic Engagement, Culinary and Movement. Through CWBH, LESGC deepens support for wrap-around services with the aim of fostering collective healing to ensure our members thrive now and in the future.
About The Maestro Cares Foundation
Maestro Cares foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Marc Anthony & Henry Cárdenas. The foundation aims to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged children and communities in Latin America and the United States.
Maestro Cares Foundation works to achieve its mission by creating safe and healthy environments for children to live, learn and play, while also supporting their developmental and academic needs.
Since 2012, Maestro Cares Foundation has impacted the lives of thousands of children by funding the construction of over 22 projects throughout Latin America and the United States. The foundation also promotes academic excellence through the Maestro Cares Foundation Scholarship Program, which provides valuable opportunities for deserving Latino students who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, a desire to continue higher education and proof of prior dedication to charitable/volunteer work. Through these efforts, Maestro Cares Foundation is strengthening communities and helping children become tomorrow’s leaders. For more information go to www.maestrocares.org
# # #
About The Center for Wellbeing and Happiness
The Center for Wellbeing and Happiness will create racial and social equity for the LES community by increasing access to quality wellness resources and tools. For more information, please visit: https://www.girlsclub.org/center-for-wellbeing-and-happiness/
To learn more about LESGC, visit www.girlsclub.org or follow us on Twitter and Instagram at: @girlsclubny
For more information about the Lower Eastside Girls Club, and the Center for Wellbeing and Happiness, please contact Claire Mooney at claire.mooney@girlsclub.org or (212) 982-1633.
For more information about Maestro Cares Foundation, contact Blanca Lassalle – blanca@creativelinkny.com
Comments are closed.